The Greater Good

The winning bids were announced, some of which were a surprise. Luna had actually received a higher bid than Celestia for the first time in the four years, something the sisters found most agreeable - Luna because she could brag about being more popular, whilst Celestia could say ‘I told you so’ for getting her moody younger sibling to actually turn up.

Fluttershy was delighted that she had raised a reasonable amount and both her and Bulk had the biggest blushes on their faces when they next spoke. Rarity had gone for a little over eight hundred bits to somebody in the fashion world, and amount nearly the same as Twilight. The council of friendship all knew Spike would have been still in the bidding at that price, and whilst they would never know how high it may have gone, knew it would have been a close fight.

As the party grew to a close and most ponies had left, Spike stood alone at the side of the hall. Twilight was about to walk over to comfort him, but Rarity held her back “Let me darling, I suspect he will want to confide in you tonight in private.” Twilight nodded, knowing that Rarity was likely right - she would make sure to get the ice-cream and lots of tissues ready.

Rarity made her way over to Spike, and stood next to him. He at least looked at her this time.

“Great party, hey?” Spike opened a little sarcastically.

“I’m sorry that you didn’t win...anything” Rarity spoke softly to her friend.

Spike sighed and put on a brave face “Yeah, but a lot of bits were raised for the orphans, so it was a successful evening.”

The pair looked at each other, knowing how they had both thought the night would end differently. “What do you plan to do with your remaining bits?”

“Donate them of course. I can’t keep them or buy anything else ….”Spike scuffed his foot awkwardly “You know, dragon greed.”

All that hard work, and for nothing, not even a rare comic or anything. Rarity thought to herself. It was a life lesson, that sometimes you don’t get what you expect, but it was a lesson that Spike did not deserve tonight. He had always worked hard, been Twilight’s faithful assistant and saved Equestria more than work - heck, he even gave up being the Dragon Lord to stay in Equestria. To stay with his friends.

To stay near her.

Rarity was glad Spike still had the bits to hoof, and she leaned in “There’s one more item Spike” the unicorn whispered. Looking around to make sure they were alone, Rarity put on a fake auctioneers voice “What am I bid on one kiss from Rarity?”

“Rarity, there's no need…” Spike tried to interrupt, but Rarity just pointed to imaginary ponies around them as she went up the numbers.

“I have five fifty bits, do I have any more bids?”

Spike looked at the unicorn and a pleasant smile spread across his face and just a hint of moisture in his eye “Seven hundred bits” he replied.

“A jump to seven hundred” Rarity repeated, “any advance on seven hundred. Going once, going twice, gone to the generous young drake from Ponyville.”

Rarity and Spike both giggled slightly at the absurdness of it all, both the unicorn composed herself “And now, your prize”

Spike turned his head bashfully, awaiting the kiss on the cheek. The memory of a previous kiss was enough to snap him out of a greed fuelled rampage, and he was looking forwards to one more to add to the small collection in his memory. However, he was surprised to find Rarity’s gentle hoof turn his head back towards her.

He was even more surprised when soft pony lips met his own.

It was a chaste kiss, but went on a little too long to simply be a kiss between friends. After a moment that seemed to last forever, yet over oh too soon, Rarity pulled away. Her sapphire eyes locked onto Spike’s emerald eyes, and a soft smile spread across her face as she released her hold “You deserved that Spike” Rarity spoke softly as a faint mist threatened to break out on her own eyes.

Spike was still a little shocked at what happened, and tried to process everything including the sweet taste of Rarity’s strawberry flavoured lip gloss remaining behind. But he remained cool and walked over to one of the donation bids and the loud clinking of coins was heard as he poured his bits in.

“Worth every single bit” the whelp smiled as the final coin clunked.

Spike held out a claw, Rarity taking it daintly and the pair left together hoof-in-claw, the young drake escorting the unicorn to her carriage. He may not have won the date, but Spike felt like the real winner that evening.